Apparatus for dressing cigarettes having imprints



Nov. 17, 1931. M. P. E. HOHN 1,332,120

APPARATUS FOR DRESSING CIGARETTES HAVING IMPRINTS Filed Sept. 30, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 17, 1931. M. P. E. HOHN 1,832,120

APPARATUS FOR DRESSING CIGARETTES HAVING IMPRINTS Filed Sept. 50, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.

Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES 1,832,1Zil

PATENT OFFICE.

m PAUL ERNST HOHN, OF DRESDEN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM UNIVERSELLEH- CIGARETTEMASCHINEN-FABRIK J'. O. MULLER & (10., F DRESDEN,

GERMANY APPARATUS FOR DRESSING GTGARETTES HAVING IMPRINTS Application filed September 30, 1929, Serial No. 396,164, and in Germany January 11, 1929.

According to a previous process for dressingright side up cigarettes or the like im pressed with printed matter, the cigarettes are led past a source of light which illuminates locally only that part of the cigarette where the impression is to be found. The light reflected from the illuminated part of the cigarette is led to a medium highly sensitive to heat or light, which in consequence of 1 the action of the reflected light generates or permits the passage of an electric current of moreor less strength only when the reflected light is weakened, such current passing to a relay whereby to close a second circuit pre-- venting the activity of mechanical means for turning the cigarette about its longitudinal axis. I Now, it is clear that in their passage the cigarettes cannot be in a row immediately contiguous-t0 one another; that is, there are intervalsbetween them which also travel beneath the source of light. These intervals represent dark spots and are adapted to act on the sensitive medium in such wise that it influences the relay to close the second circuit. Now, the arrangement may be such that during the passage of the gap the relay is excited, but the mechanical means for turning the cigarettes are unaffected. This is dis advantageous for the operation ofthe device because the repeated impulses of the relay occasion uncertainty of operation.

Consequently, according to the invention there are directed directly or by reflection to the sensitive medium in the interval preceding the arrival of the next cigarette at the point-of illumination rays of such character thatthe sensitive medium remains neutral or inactive.

The sensitive medium remains in this neutral state when rays of sufficient luminous intensity are directed to it."

Accordingly, the new method can be prac-' erably consists of a mechanically operating shutter. f

For example, this shutter may be used in the form of a rotary disc provided with one or more openings, said rotary disc being interposed between the source of light and the travelling cigarettes so that an opening comes into optical register with the part of the cigarette to be locally illuminated whenever the cigarette in question is at the right position on completion of the cigarette feeding movement.

Again, the arrangement may be such that auxiliary rays are directed towards the sensitive medium, said auxiliary rays emanating from an auxiliary source of light so arranged and of such intensity that the auxiliary light compensates forthe darkness during the passage of the gaps. Also in this case there is required a shutter which is interposed between the auxiliary source of light and the sensitive medium as soon as a cigarette arrives at the right position beneath the main source of light, because it was found that to switch the auxiliary light on and oil, which is theoretically possible, involves great tech nical difliculties because of the inertia of said light i. e., its inability to follow quickly enough the'switching on or oif of the current.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention Figures 1 and 2 illustrate in part vertical section, part elevation, and in plan, respectively, a construction with a rotary disc shutter.

Figs. 3 and 4:, respectively, show in vertical transverse section and in horizontal section on the line 44 of Fig. 3 a construction in which an auxiliary source of light is used.

. Inthe construction according to Figs. 1' and 2 there is arranged between the conveyor band 1 carrying the ciga-rettesZ and the apparatus A provided with the photo-electric cell a disc 2 mounted on the pivot 3. The apparatus A is equipped in known manner with two powerful electric incandescent globes 4:, 4which throw their light substantially on that point where the impressions on the cigarettes are. For the case that a cigarette is disposed upside down, that is, with the impression on the underside, the photo cell 5 arranged within the apparatus A will in known manner act through the relay to actuate mechanical means which bring the cigarette to the right position. I'Vhile now the unavoidable gaps between the several cigarettes travel past the source of light, these gaps are covered by the disc 2. For this purpose the latter must be of the same colour tone as the side of suture on the cigarettes; consequently have a white face.

The disc is formed with two rectangular openings 6 where pairs of shutters 7 (diaphragms) adjustable according to the size of the impressions are arranged. The openings 6 can thus be adjusted according to the size of the impressions by rocking controlling arms 8 pivoted at 8 to the shutters 7. Fig. 2 shows the openings 6 with maximum and with minimum openings of the shutters. The disc is driven by means of two spiral gears 9, 10 which impart a semi-rotation to the disc while the conveyor or band 1 feeds the cigarettes one step.

I11 the construction according to Figs. 3 and l, A. is the apparatus carrying the photocell, in front of the window 11 of which apparatus the row of cigarettes to be controlled is traversed. The substantially tubular casing 12 in which the apparatus A is fitted communicates by way of the opening 13 with a casing 14; disposed at right angles thereto,

in which casing 14 there is arranged near the opening 13 an electric incandescent lamp 15 connected by the conductors 16 with the source of current. In the casing 14: is arranged a cylinder 16 serving as a shutter and fixed to the shaft 17 journalled at 18. The shutter is driven by means of spiral gears 19, 20 which so rotate the cylinder that its opening 21 registers with the opening 13 when the unavoidable gap between adjacent cigarettes passes in front of the window 11, so that in the interval during which the gap Z'w passes the window the photo cell receives additional light from the lamp 15 which prevents the relay from acting. As is understood, the cylindrical shutter might be pro vided with several openings such as 21.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for dressing cigarettes the combination with a source of light, of means for feeding cigarettes a in stages past said source of light so as to illuminate said ciga rettes locally and individually at a given point in the path of travel of said feeding means, a medium highly sensitive to heat and light positioned to receive light rays reflected from the illuminated point, a rotary shutter having an opening interposed between the path of the cigarettes and said source of light, and means for rotating said shutter concomitantly with the feeding of the cigarettes whereby said opening comes opposite the illuminated point on completion of a stage of feeding movement whereby the rays of light are reflected from the cigarette at said point to said sensitive medium and, intermediate the positioning of cigarettes at said point, rays of light are reflected from said rotary shutter to said sensitive medium.

2. In a machine for dressing cigarettes, the combination with a source of light, of means for feeding cigarettes in steps past said source of light so as to illuminate the cigarettes individually and locally at a given point in the path of travel of said feeding means, a highly light and heat sensitive medium positioned to receive rays reflected from the illuminated point, a rotary shutter having an opening interposed between the path of the cigarettes and said source of light and means for rotating said shutter concomitantly with the feeding of the cigaretts whereby said opening comes opposite the illuminated point on completion of a step of the feeding movement whereby the rays of light are reflected from the, cigarette at said point to said sensitive medium, said shutter having its reflecting surface of the same color tone as the cigarette body.

3. Ina machine for dressing cigarettes, the combination with a'source of light of means for feeding cigarettes in steps past said source of light so as to illuminate the cigaretteindividually and locally at a given point in the path of travel of said feeding means, a highly light and heat sensitive medium positioned to receive rays reflected from the illuminated point,a rotary shutter having an adjustable opening interposed between the path of the cigarettes and said source of light and means for rotating said shutter concomitantly with the feeding of the cigarettes whereby said opening comes opposite the illuminated point on completion of a step of the feeding movement whereby the rays of light are reflected from the cigarettes at said point to said sensitive medium, said shutter having its reflecting surface of the same color tone as the cigarette body.

4. In a machine for. dressing cigarettes having imprints thereon, conveyor means for feeding cigarettes in spaced relationship, a source of light to illuminate said cigarettes individually and locally at a given point in the path of travel of said conveyor means, a highly light and heat sensitive mediumpositioned to receive the rays reflected from said given locality and means interposed between said source of light and said conveyor to compensate for diminution in intensity of reflected rays during the intervals between positioning of successive cigarettes at said given point, said means comprising a rotatable member havingthe same color tone as the cigarette body and an opening, rotation of said member being timed to have said opening arrive opposite saidlocality each time a cigarette arrives there, whereby the rays may be reflected from said cigarette to said sensitive medium.

5. In a machine for dressing cigarettes having imprints thereon, conveyor means for feeding cigarettes in spaced relationship, a source of light to illuminate the cigarettes individually at a given point in the path of travel of said conveyor, a highly light and heat sensitive medium positioned to receive the rays reflected at said given point, said sensitive medium being responsive to changes in intensity of reflected rays to control means for dressing said cigarettes and means to compensate for diminution in intensity of reflected rays during intervals between the arrival of successive cigarettes at said given point, said means comprising a rotatable member having a reflecting surface of the same color tone as said cigarettes body and an opening, rotation of said member being timed to have its opening arrive at said point each time a cigarette arrives there, whereby the rays from said source may be reflected from said cigarette to said sensitite medium and durin said intervals the rays may be reflected from said reflecting surface to said sensitive medium.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MAX PAUL ERNSTHOHN. 

